Most of the American electorate thought it was normal campaigning during the 2016 presidential race when President Obama and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton warned America that the Republican nominee for the Office of President was not fit for the office. In hindsight we see that Obama and Clinton were doing more than campaigning, they were truly warning the nation against electing the Republican nominee to the office of President. Not only did Obama and Clinton warn the nation, but American allies also warned the United States against electing the Republican nominee to the Office of President. In a July 16th article the British publication, The Economist wrote an interesting subtext to the article’s headline “The dividing of America.” The subtext read, “Donald Trump’s nomination in Cleveland will put a thriving country at risk of a great, self-inflicted wound.” Well, from that juncture, America, with help from Russia, went on to wound itself with the election of the current 45th President.

Just this past Saturday there were nationwide anti-Muslim demonstrations. Such overt expressions of hate have been on the rise since the campaign and election of the 45th President. What was lurking in darkness and tucked away in dresser drawer corners have come to light. The current President of the United States established this public and bold tone of hatred. Individuals have been given cues from national leadership that is all right to hate. For example, witness the recent racially and hatred inspired killings in Oregon. Was there any condemnation from the White House? Following the most recent terror related truck and knife killings in London; America’s 45th President was quick to call for a reinstatement of his Muslim ban. America’s President also criticized the Mayor of London who just happens to b Muslim. It seems perfectly clear, Houston, that we have a problem.

When Great Britain voted to leave the European Union in 2016, this was hailed as a new nationalism sweeping across the world. The white working class and anti-immigration sentiments fueled this new nationalism. Donald Trump’s election to the Office of President was seen as an outgrowth of this new politics. However, since Trump’s election we have seen this new nationalist movement falter in Germany, Sweden, and France. The most recent election in Great Britain saw anti-Brexit and anti-Trump sentiments take away the Conservative Majority that only last year had persuaded the British electorate to leave the European Union. Even the party that was central to the Brexit outcome has disbanded. Moreover, I saw the most recent British parliament elections as an attempt by the British electorate to correct the mistake that had taken place in 2016. It may take a decade to clean up the mess that was wrought with the 2016 elections in both England and the United States.

Last week, it was confirmed that the 45th President of the United States is a certified liar. Does anyone recall the accusation that President Obama had bugged Trump Tower during the election? Number 45 was not held accountable for that lie just as he was not held accountable for the lie that Barack Obama was not born in the United States. The overwhelming confirmation that Number 45 is a certified liar came on the strength of former FBI Director James Comey’s testimony under oath to the Senate Intelligence Committee. The former FBI Director did not waste time before emphatically stating that the current President had lied on several occasions. Following Comey’s testimony, the President stated that he would gladly testify under oath. This, more than likely, was another lie. The United States deserves better than Donald Trump as President. The world deserves better.

Complicit in America’s self-inflicted wound is the Republican Party. While we have been watching the Trump-Russia debacle play out before our very eyes, Republicans in Congress have been busy trying put through their agenda which does not require presidential input, but does require the President’s signature. The unholy bargain between Congressional Republicans and the 45th President reads something like the following: “Mr. President, we will continue to look the other way and allow you to fly to one of your resorts on Air Force One each weekend as long as you pledge to sign our bills once they reach your desk.”

Paul Ryan said the President is new to politics. However, it was the current President who said he is extremely smart and can fix everything. Mitch McConnell is trying to sneak the House bill, to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, to the President’s desk. A Paul Ryan led House of Representatives just passed legislation to repeal Dodd-Frank and allow the financial industry to once again engage in the practices that led to “The Great Recession” of 2008. Without a doubt, under the 115th Congress and the 45th President, separation of powers and checks & balances are dead. These are the worst of times.

Anthony Neal earned his Ph.D. in political science from Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University). Dr. Neal is an associate professor at State University College, Buffalo. The author of numerous book reviews and journal articles, he has had his work published in the Western Journal of Black Studies, the Journal of Black Studies, and Black Issues in Higher Education. In 2014 Dr. Neal received the university’s Faculty Appreciation Award, was named Instructor of the Year by the university’s United Student Government, and Professor of the Year by the Student Political Society in the Department of Political Science. In 2015, he published The American Political Narrative which is a succinct yet poignant narrative about the development of the American political system and what is needed to maintain it. In 2016, he will publish a book of poetry entitled “Love Agnostic | from 9/11 to Charleston”